If you compare the items on CSPI’s list to what up-and-coming chains are serving, the differences between the menus are clear. Health-centric chains like Cava Grill and Dig Inn have won over customers and investors with lower-calorie options highlighting fresh ingredients. The fast-casual market is on the rise and is expected to reach $US66.9 billion by 2020, according to the market-research company Technavio.

“They have more of a healthy perception, there’s quicker service times,” Wedbush analyst Colin Radke told Business Insider in March. “The healthiness and the speed of service — that’s been taking market share from casual dining.”

Many of the brands on CSPI’s list — such as Chilli’s and Buffalo Wild Wings — have faced sales slumps and dozens of restaurant closures in recent months. The high-calorie, high-sodium foods simply aren’t drawing in customers like they once were.

That isn’t to say that casual-dining chains don’t have healthy options. Most of them — Chilli’s included — have a “lighter fare” menu, which tends to include somewhat uninspired takes on salads or grilled chicken and fish dishes. But, these dishes often seem to simply be watered-down version of their calorie-packed menu partners.

Also notable is the fact that some chains are still convincing customers to purchase less-than-healthy items.

While Chilli’s and Buffalo Wild Wings have struggled recently, Texas Roadhouse — ranking No. 1 on CSPI’s list for its 2,820-calorie prime rib, loaded sweet potato, and Caesar salad — has been thriving. On Monday, the company reported same-store sales had grown 4% at company-owned restaurants in the last quarter.

The issue isn’t simply a matter of calories. It’s having a menu that feels fresh and appeals to customers.